Lou Monte

Monte developed a following playing clubs in and around the New Jersey area. When World War II broke out, Monte had to put his career on hold and enlisted in the Army. When he was discharged, he started his club date schedule and caught the attention of radio station WAAT AM in Newark, New Jersey. Seeing Monte's potential, the station gave him his own radio show. The show offered Monte a chance to refine his act and he soon gained a sizable following. The radio station rewarded him by convincing its sister TV outlet to give him some airtime.

Beginning with this exposure, Monte made a couple of recordings on local labels. Joe Carlton was an A&R man for RCA Victor Records and heard the Italian minstrel performing in a spaghetti joint south of Secaucus. He liked Monte's singing style and the way he accompanied himself on the guitar. He offered Monte a contract with RCA Victor which lasted seven years. Joe Carlton would go on to start Carlton Records.

Lou Monte (April 2, 1917 – June 12, 1989) was an Italian American singer best known for a number of best-selling, Italian-themed novelty records which he recorded for both RCA Records and Reprise Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also recorded on Roulette Records, Jubilee Records, Regalia Records, Musicor Records, Laurie Records, and AFE Records.

Holiday

Dominick The Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey)

Album:

Dominick the Italian Christmas
(2011)

Lyrics:

Santa's got a little friend, his name is Dominick
The cutest little donkey, you never see him kick
When Santa visits his Paesans with Dominick he'll be
Because the reindeer cannot climb the hills of Italy

Jingle bells around his feet and presents on the sled
Hey, look at the mayor's derby on top of Dominick's head
A pair of shoes for Louie and a dress for Josephine
The label on the inside says they're made in Brooklyn

Children sing and clap their hands and Dominick starts ta dance
Dey talk Italian to him and he even understands
Gumbaros and gumbaras, da de dance a dallodale
When Zepilagola comes to town and brings oh chu-cha-lil